Fort Young Hotel is thrilled to announce the unveiling of “THEA’S GOLD,” an artwork by Venezuelan-Dominican artist Sandra Vivas. The piece, also dubbed “Thea’s Wall”, since it covers almost an entire wall and measures 7 feet by 7 feet, pays tribute to Thea LaFond Gadson, Dominica’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, and celebrates her historic victory in the triple jump at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“Thea’s Gold” features 62 ink-on-paper drawings, each intricately created through a technique known as rotoscoping, in which Vivas meticulously traced video footage of LaFond’s triple jump. Through this artisanal animation approach, Vivas captures the power, grace, and resilience that define both the athlete and the essence of Dominican pride. These drawings are the “behind the scenes” work of a 6-second animation, synthesizing LaFond’s triumphant leap through Vivas’ artistry.
Vivas, born in 1969, is renowned for her impactful explorations of gender identity, power structures, and societal issues through performance art, video, and installations. Her work is recognized for its powerful commentary on contemporary Venezuelan society. In recent years, Vivas has expanded her practice to include hand-drawn, artisanal animations, culminating in this poignant homage to LaFond-Gadson.
Fort Young Hotel’s Museum Café hosts 60 of the drawings, with two additional pieces on display at Bwa Denn at Secret Bay. “Thea’s Gold” can be viewed by both hotel guests and the public, offering a rare intersection of sports, art, and national pride.
About Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort
Located on the water in Roseau, Dominica’s capital, Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort is the Caribbean’s first All-Inclusive, Island-Included resort. The country’s only downtown hotel, Fort Young Hotel affords guests unmatched proximity to the “Nature Island’s” vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, exhilarating activities and some of the island’s most prized attractions, like Trafalgar Falls, Middleham Falls, Freshwater Lake, segments of the Waitukubuli National Trail, and world-renowned diving. Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort offers a luxurious sense of seclusion, fine dining and meeting facilities. Fort Young Hotel can be reached at 767-448-5000 or [email protected].
